Cost of living for January, for myself, partner, kid.
No expensive medical issues, less than 1000 baht a year for myself, same for both Ree and Gem combined. Me and Ree get full medicals every year, less than 10,000 baht, plus teeth clean and check ups and weâ€™ll call it 1000 a month, round up just a bit for surprises, and we need 35,000 baht a month, as total monthly were 33,596 baht. 3 adult appetites, Gem is soon to be 10, and eats adult servings.

Household items would be cleaner/soaps of all versions, clothes, all non food necessities, some stocked up but a good average, 4000 a month. Misc would be Gem pocket money, ears pierced, some entertainment at complex, dvd rental, cigars, non essentials. But again, 2000 ish is a good monthly average.

The budget does include alcohol expenses (food/out) for the month, 3 trips to Sandwich Shop, and beer expenses of 275/220/385 with 2 cans of Leo while out and about, for 50, total beer budget..930. With Ree as designated driver. Definitely more than usual, since 3 Saturday month w/3 meet ups. Usually once or twice a month, with 3 large an average drinking night for me. An occasional small with lunch, hence those cans of Leo, but usually water with my meals out.

Car and motorbike paid for, rent soon to go down to 4000, but expect the electric to go up for rainy season. Since march 2008, most expensive electric bill was 1650, least 800. Havenâ€™t had to pay for city water yet, but highest bill so far was 375, donâ€™t expect one higher, so again, for ourselves, we need 35,000 a month for a comfortable living. Surely could spend more, or a bit less, but not much either way would change much.

Dining out was 32 occasions, usually myself and Ree do lunch, with exception to meet ups at Sandwich Shop, we usually eat in on weekends. So that works out to normally, about 20 lunches and 10 dinners in restaurants a month. Mostly enclosed, ac, and a few ma and pa shop, but rare. Last month our dining baht went to SaengKaow, Green Leaf, 2 Hearts, Nobiâ€™s, Irish Clock, UP2U, TJ, Sandwich Shop, Relax Place, Pizza Co (take away), MaeYa, and about 4 ma/pa or night market vendors. No surprises there and probably not going to change in the future.

What this doesnâ€™t include is side trip to BKK, for 4 nights, hotel and transportation expenses are not include, but all food and entertainment is, as we would spend about the same no matter where. Possibly, just a tad more in BKK, due to location, and some higher priced munchies, but marginal. Also doesnâ€™t include Reeâ€™s pocket money, which is pretty much the same every month, for her extras, and just to have pocket money if needing something. Her extras, that 10th pair of shoes or bag thing or phone cards, as any necessities are provided in monthly budget. My phone and internet, less than 400 a month is included in misc/household, 2 phone cards, 374 for internet and surely less than 26 calls a month on average.

Hope this helps those thinking about retirement in Udon Thani, and something for those already here to compare to. Insurance is for car and motorbike, no health or medical. Approximately 20 K baht a year for both, school is for St. Maryâ€™s, just shy of 9 K a year. Food is easily 20 % more than last year, most of that increase actually from the market and not the restaurants, which are doing a good job of absorbing many of their own cost. Only one restaurant had a major increase on the menu items, after 8 years, quite understandable, still a value for your baht. Best of luck to all, with our host doing some heaving borrowing themselves now, maybe that exchange rate will start to be favorable.

Well guys it seems a hell of a lot cheaper than living in the UK.My family consists of 2 adults 1 15 year old and 1 18 month old.I can spend 100 pounds per week on food alone. This includes Thai food which is very expensive here.Gas and electric here averages at 200 pounds a month. Council tax 150 pounds a month. water 60 pounds a month. Tel sky internet 80 pounds a month

without owning a car, i could easily live on 20 K baht a month as a single person. a car really isn't necessary. i'm not a heavy drinker, and once here and know your way around, no need to chase women, they will chase you.

steveway2 wrote:
I am tempted to sell up and retire early, but will stick it out here another couple of years

Only you can make that decision, but remember you only get one chance on this planet. At least you can make your decisions with the World Economy at what appears to be rock bottom. Some have made the decision in a different economic climate and have had to make big adjustments.

I would love to move to Thailand with my thai wife and baby and live a peacfull village life,but i don't want to severe ties in the UK,yet i need to finance my stay in Thailand which means selling my assets in UK.Can any ex pat members point me in the right direction through your own experiance's and give me a straight answer into why i should or should'nt make the move.I'm 45 years old married and have an 18 month old son.

macduff wrote:I would love to move to Thailand with my thai wife and baby and live a peacfull village life,but i don't want to severe ties in the UK,yet i need to finance my stay in Thailand which means selling my assets in UK.Can any ex pat members point me in the right direction through your own experiance's and give me a straight answer into why i should or should'nt make the move.I'm 45 years old married and have an 18 month old son.

I would think that much would depend on your financial condition and ability to weather the markets and exchange rates in this volatile time.